Peeling apparatus and associated methods

ABSTRACT

A peeling apparatus may include a frame, a set of mounts being removably connected to a first end of the frame adjacent at least one first roller opening and each mount including a flange bearing. The peeler may also include a set of abrasive rollers being arranged to define a peeling chamber and having first ends rotatably supported by flange bearings of the mounts so that the abrasive rollers are installable or removable through the at least one first roller opening upon removal of the respective mounts from the frame. The peeling apparatus may also include a set of roller drive motors for respective abrasive rollers that are also carried by respective mounts. A second set of flange bearings may be provided at the opposite end of the chamber. A high capacity embodiment includes dual peeling chambers and wherein feeders in the form of augers rotate in opposite directions.

RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/576,924 filed on May 23, 2000 (now U.S. Pat. No.6,426,107), the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein byreference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of food processing, and moreparticularly, to apparatus and methods for peeling vegetables andfruits.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is common in many food processing applications to require the peelingof the outer skin of fruits or vegetables. Potatoes, in particular, arevery often so processed by passing the potatoes against a set ofrotating abrasive rollers. Fruit may also be similarly processed. Forexample, U.S. Pat. No. 2,605,798 to Boswell discloses a citrus fruitpeeler including a pair of abrading rollers and an auger screw whichadvances the citrus along the rollers.

Along these lines, U.S. Pat. No. 3,745,914 to Wallace discloses a singlechamber fruit and vegetable peeler including a frame, a plurality ofabrasive roller carried by the frame and arranged in an arcuate pattern,and a drive motor and gears coupled to the rollers. The abrasive rollersare provided in lengthwise segments to facilitate replacement of adamaged section without requiring replacement of an entire roller.Action of the rollers advances the fruit or vegetables from an intake toa discharge. A rinsing system is provided to wash material from therollers. The vegetables or fruit are subjected to a tumbling actionwithin the peeling chamber. The amount of peeling is controlled by aheight of a gate at the discharge.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,519,305 to Vanosdall discloses a similar apparatuswherein an auger extends only partway into the chamber from thedischarge. U.S. Pat. No. 5,858,429 also to Wallace discloses a similarapparatus which includes an auger at a feed hopper, and a rotatabletumbler including rotating paddles within the peeling chamber. Thispatent also discloses a vision analysis system to evaluate the degree ofpeeling and adjust the various parameters to provide a desired degree ofpeeling.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,237,782 to Bichel and 4,827,836 to Neidigh disclosepeeling apparatus wherein the abrasive rollers are driven by individualhydraulic motors. U.S. Pat. No. 5,780,088 to Zittel discloses a peelerthat includes individual electric motors to drive each roller. Therollers can be operated at different speeds or in different directions.An auger which extends through the peeling chamber, may also becontrolled by an electric motor.

To increase capacity, a dual peeling or washing chamber apparatus wasoffered by Vanmark Corporation under the model designation Series 2800.The apparatus included two side-by-side chambers wherein the augerscrews rotated in a same direction. Accordingly, the abrasive rollersextended around an arc further upward on a same side at the center ofthe apparatus. Unfortunately, this arrangement places a number ofabrasive rollers in the interior of the peeling apparatus which makesmaintenance more difficult for these interior rollers and associatedportions. Such an arrangement also increases the needed width of themachine, thereby complicating its placement with other processingequipment.

Conventional peeling machines have also generally suffered from poormaintainability because of the mounting of rollers and respectivemotors. Accessing and replacing such components may be especiallydifficult since other processing equipment may be placed relativelyclose to the peeling machine. In addition, the bearings used inconventional machines may not provide a sufficient service life and/orpermit high operating speeds of the rollers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing background, it is therefore an object of thepresent invention to provide a peeling apparatus and associated methodswhich permit more ready maintenance and/or which provide highercapacity.

These and other objects, features and advantages in accordance with oneembodiment of the invention are provided by a peeling apparatuscomprising a frame, a set of mounts including flange bearings and beingremovably connected to a first end of the frame adjacent at least onefirst roller opening, and a set of abrasive rollers being arranged todefine a peeling chamber and having first ends rotatably supported bythe flange bearings. The mounts permit the abrasive rollers to beinstallable or removable through the at least one first roller openingupon removal of the respective mounts from the frame. The peelingapparatus may also include a set of roller drive motors for respectiveabrasive rollers that are also carried by respective mounts.Accordingly, the motors and rollers can be readily removed andinstalled, such as for maintenance.

Each mount may have a trapezoidal shape, and the mounts may be arrangedin side-by-side relation to define an arc. The peeling chamber mayextend generally horizontally. The flange bearings used in the mountsmay be more desirable than pillow block bearings which are often used insimilar peeling apparatus.

A feeder may also be provided for feeding fruit or vegetables adjacentthe set of abrasive rollers so that the first end defines an intake end.Accordingly, the mounts permit installation and removal of the abrasiverollers from the intake end.

In accordance with one advantageous feature, the number of abrasiverollers in the set thereof may be greater than eight. For a dual chamberpeeling apparatus, the number of abrasive rollers may be greater thansixteen.

A second set of flange bearings may be carried by a second end of theframe for respective second ends of the abrasive rollers. Moreover, eachof the second set of flange bearings may comprise a two-fastener flangebearing having a generally oval footprint. This permits each flangebearing of the second set of flange bearings to be canted at an angleand nested into an adjacent flange bearing. Since the second end istypically the discharge end, this relatively compact arrangement offlange bearings permits the fruit or vegetables to be readilydischarged.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a high capacity peelingapparatus that includes dual peeling chambers and wherein feeders in theform of augers rotate in opposite directions. More particularly, thepeeling apparatus may comprise a frame, and first and second peelingchambers carried by the frame in side-by-side relation. The firstpeeling chamber may include a first set of abrasive rollers and a firstauger adjacent thereto, and the second peeling chamber may include asecond set of abrasive rollers and a second auger adjacent thereto. Thefirst and second augers preferably comprise respective helical flightsoriented in opposite helical directions. The peeling apparatus may alsoinclude a drive for driving the first and second augers in oppositerotational directions.

The first set of abrasive rollers may be aligned along a first arc, andthe second set of abrasive rollers may be aligned along a second arcbeing a mirror image of the first arc. To facilitate maintenance of thedual chamber embodiment, the first and second arcs preferably eachextend higher along outsides of the peeling apparatus. In other words,the number of rollers along the inner portion of the apparatus isreduced in favor of more rollers along the more accessible outerportion.

Another aspect of the invention relates to cleaning. More particularly,the peeling apparatus may comprise a cleaning solution delivery systemfor contacting surfaces of the peeling chamber with a cleaning solution.This cleaning solution delivery system may be connected to a commoncleaning solution delivery system that extends within the processingplant, and which is shared with other processing apparatus.

Additionally relating to cleaning, the peeling apparatus may include acleaning solution collection system for collecting cleaning solutionafter contacting surfaces of the peeling chamber. This cleaning solutioncollection system may also be connected to a common cleaning solutioncollection system in the processing plant which is also shared withother processing apparatus.

One method aspect of the invention relates to a method for making apeeling apparatus. This method preferably comprises providing a frame,removably connecting a set of mounts to a first end of the frameadjacent at least one first roller opening with each mount comprising aflange bearing. The method may also include arranging a set of abrasiverollers to define a peeling chamber and having first ends rotatablysupported by respective flange bearings of the mounts. Accordingly, theabrasive rollers are installable or removable through the at least onefirst roller opening upon removal of the respective mounts from theframe. The method may also include connecting a set of roller drivemotors to respective abrasive rollers and that are also carried byrespective mounts.

Another method aspect of the invention is also directed to making apeeling apparatus. The method may include providing a frame, andarranging a set of abrasive rollers to define a peeling chamber byrotatably supporting first ends of the abrasive rollers using a firstset of flange bearings carried by the first end of the frame, androtatably supporting second ends of the abrasive rollers using a secondset of flange bearings carried by the second end of the frame.

Yet another method aspect of the invention is for peeling fruit orvegetables. The method preferably comprises providing first and secondpeeling chambers carried by a frame in side-by-side relation, with thefirst peeling chamber comprising a first set of abrasive rollers and afirst auger adjacent thereto, and with the second peeling chambercomprising a second set of abrasive rollers and a second auger adjacentthereto. The first and second augers preferably comprise respectivehelical flights oriented in opposite helical directions. The method alsopreferably includes driving the first and second augers in oppositerotational directions to thereby advance the objects along the first andsecond sets of abrasive rollers respectively.

Still another method aspect of the invention relates to a method forprocessing fruit or vegetables using a plurality of processing apparatusand comprising at least one peeling apparatus. This method preferablycomprises providing a common cleaning solution delivery system connectedto the processing apparatus, and providing the peeling apparatus with acleaning solution delivery system connected to the common cleaningsolution delivery system. In addition, the method may include providinga common cleaning solution collection system connected to the processingapparatus, and providing the peeling apparatus with a cleaning solutioncollection system connected to the common cleaning solution collectionsystem.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a peeling apparatus in accordance withthe invention.

FIG. 2 is an intake end view of the peeling apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a discharge end view of the peeling apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 4—4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the intake end of anabrasive roller, its flange bearing, removable mount and drive motor asused in the peeling apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged end view of a discharge portion of the peelingapparatus of FIG. 1 illustrating the flange bearings supporting thedischarge ends of the abrasive rollers.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the discharge end of aabrasive roller and its associated flange bearing as used in the peelingapparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an abrasive roller as may be used in thepeeling apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a greatly enlarged cross-sectional view taken along lines 9—9of FIG. 8 illustrating an individual knurl embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of control portions of the peelingapparatus as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 is a more detailed schematic diagram of the control portionsshown in FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings in which preferred embodiments ofthe invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied inmany different forms and should not be construed as limited to theillustrated embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments areprovided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and willfully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

Referring initially to FIGS. 1-4 the peeling apparatus 20 in accordancewith the present invention is now described. The peeling apparatus 20may be part of an overall fruit or vegetable processing system 25 thatmay include other processing apparatus 21, 22 as schematicallyillustrated. In addition, these other processing apparatus 21, 22 mayalso be connected to a common plant cleaning solution system 23including a cleaning solution supply and associated interconnectingpiping. Similarly, these other processing apparatus 21, 22 may also beconnected to a common plant cleaning solution collection system 24including a drain, sump or collection vessel and interconnecting pipingas will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

The peeling apparatus 20 may include the lower collection pan 29 and theoutlet port 31 in communication therewith which define the cleaningsolution collection system for the peeling apparatus, and which may becoupled to the common plant cleaning solution collection system 24. Ofcourse, the cleaning solution from the peeling apparatus 20 may also berecycled and used again for cleaning the peeler and/or any of the otherprocessing apparatus 21, 22. Also the cleaning solution from the commonplant cleaning solution delivery system 23 may be distributed or sprayedon interior portions of the peeling apparatus 20 using the schematicallyillustrated nozzles 35 (FIG. 4).

The peeling apparatus 20 illustratively includes two generallyhorizontally extending, side-by-side-peeling chambers 26 a, 26 b, butmany of the features and components thereof may also be used in a singlepeeling chamber apparatus, and/or in a peeling apparatus arranged at anangle other than horizontal as will be readily appreciated by thoseskilled in the art. The peeling apparatus 20 is also illustratively fedfruit or vegetables from one or more upstream devices, schematicallyillustrated in FIG. 1 by the fruit/vegetable supply 27. In addition, thepeeling apparatus 20 also includes a controller 28 connected to thevarious motors and other equipment as will be described in greaterdetail below.

The peeling apparatus 20 may be used for many peeling operations to beperformed typically on fruit or vegetables. For example, the peelingapparatus 20 may be used to extract oil from the peels of citrus fruitas disclosed in parent U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/576,924 filedon May 23, 2000, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated hereinby reference. Of course, the peeling apparatus 20 may be used forpeeling potatoes, and other fruit and vegetables as will be appreciatedby those skilled in the art.

The peeling apparatus 20 illustratively includes a frame 30 whichcarries the first and second peeling chambers 26 a, 26 b in side-by-siderelation. The first peeling chamber 26 a includes a first set ofabrasive rollers 32 a and a first auger 33 a adjacent thereto.Similarly, the second peeling chamber 26 b comprises a second set ofabrasive rollers 32 b and a second auger 33 b adjacent thereto. Eachauger 33 a, 33 b has a respective electric drive motor 34 a, 34 bconnected thereto. Of course, a discharge opening 37 a, 37 b is providedat the discharge end of each peeling chamber 26 a, 26 b as shown perhapsbest in FIGS. 1 and 4. The discharge openings 37 are illustrativelyarcuate in shape and offset to the respective outer sides. A commonintake opening 39 (FIG. 2) is provided at the intake end to receive thefruit or vegetables therein.

In accordance with one aspect of the peeling apparatus 20, the first andsecond augers 33 a, 33 b include respective helical flights oriented inopposite helical directions. The drive motors 34 a, 34 b drive the firstand second augers 33 a, 33 b in opposite rotational directions. In otherwords, the drive motors 34 a, 34 b define a drive for the augers 33 a,33 b. The fruit or vegetables in each peeling chamber 26 a, 26 b isadvanced in parallel from the intake to the discharge end of the peelingapparatus 20.

The first set of abrasive rollers 32 a are aligned along a first arc,and the second set of abrasive rollers 32 b are aligned along a secondarc being a mirror image of the first arc. Moreover, the first andsecond arcs each extend higher along outsides of the peeling apparatus20. This may be accommodated since rotation of the augers 33 a, 33 btends to cause the fruit to ride up toward the outside as will beappreciated by those skilled in the art. This arrangement of rollersprovides a number of advantages, particularly in that more rollers areaccessible from the exterior of the peeling apparatus 20, rather thanbeing positioned on the less accessible interior as will be appreciatedby those skilled in the art.

Another aspect of the peeling apparatus 20 is that the number ofabrasive rollers 32 a, 32 b in each of the first and second sets may begreater than eight. In the illustrated embodiment, twelve rollers areprovided in each set. A combined or total number of abrasive rollers 32a, 32 b in both of the first and second sets is also preferably greaterthan sixteen. In the illustrated peeling apparatus 20 the total numberof rollers is twenty-four. The larger number of rollers may provide agreater throughput in a smaller machine footprint. Accordingly, thepeeling apparatus 20 may be installed or retrofitted into a relativelysmall space.

Referring now more particularly to FIG. 2 and additionally to FIG. 5,other advantageous features of the peeling apparatus 20 are nowdescribed. In particular, each peeling chamber 26 a, 26 b illustrativelyincludes a set of motors 40 a, 40 b and associated mounts 41 a, 41 b forthe abrasive rollers. These motors 40 a, 40 b and mounts 41 a, 41 b areillustratively carried by the intake end, accordingly, the fruit orvegetables can more readily pass out of the discharge openingsunencumbered by the motors and mounts as will be appreciated by thoseskilled in the art.

For clarity of explanation, only a single motor 40 a, mount 41 a, andintake end of a roller 32 a will now be described, although those ofskill in the art will appreciate that this configuration may beduplicated for all of the rollers in both peeling chambers 26 a, 26 b.More particularly, the frame 30 includes a roller opening 45 a adjacentthe intake end. The roller opening 45 a may be an arcuately shapedslotted opening for the set of rollers as in the illustrated embodiment,or individual openings could be provided for each roller as will beappreciated by those skilled in the art. The mount 41 a is alsoconnected to the intake end adjacent the roller opening 45 a, and thismount carries the intake end of the abrasive roller 32 a as well as themotor 40 a.

The mount 41 a permits the abrasive roller 32 a to be installable orremovable through the roller opening 45 a upon removal of the mount 41 afrom the frame 30. The mount 41 a also permits the roller drive motor 40a to be separately removed, such as for service or replacement.

The abrasive roller 32 a illustratively comprises an elongate bodyportion 60 a having an abrasive outer surface as will be described ingreater detail below, and an intake mounting stub 61 a and a dischargemounting stub 62 a (FIG. 7) permanently affixed to respective opposingends of elongate body portion. Each mounting stub may include a bodyportion received within an open end of the elongate body portion 60 a,and may also include an integrally formed shaft extending outwardlytherefrom. Other similar constructions are also possible.

The mounting stubs 61 a, 62 a are preferably permanently affixed to theends of the elongate body portion 60 a to provide for higher rotationalspeeds with less vibration and resonance as will be appreciated by thoseskilled in the art. For example, in those embodiments where the elongatebody portion 60 a of the abrasive roller 32 a comprises metal, such assteel or aluminum, the mounting stubs 61 a, 62 a may be permanentlyaffixed by welding, although similar techniques are also contemplated bythe present invention.

In the illustrated embodiment, the mount 41 a illustratively includes abase plate 46 a covering overlying the opening 45 a and secured to theframe 30. A flange bearing 47 a is carried by the base plate 46 a androtatably supports the intake mounting stub 61 a at the end of theabrasive roller 32 a. The mount 41 a also illustratively includes themotor standoff 50 a also carried by the base plate 46 a and which iscoaxial with the end of the mounting stub 61 a and output shaft 53 a ofthe motor 40 a. The output shaft 53 a of the motor 40 a is connected tothe end of the mounting stub 61 a via a flexible coupling 51 a which mayalso permit higher rotational speeds for the abrasive roller 32 a byreducing vibration.

The schematically illustrated motor 40 a may include an electric orhydraulic actuator directly coupled to the output shaft 53 a, or anintervening gearbox may be provided to produce a desired rotationalspeed of the abrasive roller 32 a as will be appreciated by thoseskilled in the art. The motor 40 a is illustratively connected to amotor mounting plate 52 a which, in turn, is carried by the end of themotor standoff 50 a. Other equivalent mounting arrangements are alsocontemplated by the invention. In some alternate embodiments, theindividual motors may be replaced by a common motor and associated drivetrain for driving the sets of rollers.

As perhaps best seen with reference to FIG. 2, the mounts 41 a, 41 b,and, more particularly, the base plates thereof, may have a trapezoidalshape. Accordingly, when the mounts 41 a, 41 b are arranged inside-by-side relation, the mounts define an arc.

Turning now additionally to FIGS. 6 and 7, another advantageous aspectof the peeling apparatus 20 is described. More particularly, respectivesets of flange bearings 70 a, 70 b are provided at the discharge end ofthe peeling apparatus for each of the peeling chambers 26 a, 26 b. Eachflange bearing 70 a is illustratively provided by a flange bearinghaving a generally oval footprint with first and second fasteneropenings adjacent opposing ends of the footprint and which, in turn,receive respective first and second fasteners 72 a to secure the flangebearing in place. The flange bearing 70 a of the mount 41 a rotatablysupports the discharge mounting stub 62 a of the abrasive roller 32 a.

Moreover, as best seen in FIG. 7, each flange bearing 70 a with itsgenerally oval footprint may be readily canted at an angle and nestedinto an adjacent flange bearing. In contrast, pillow block bearings, forexample, may be difficult to accurately position and may take upadditional space. Accordingly, the flange bearings 70 a, 70 b of thepeeling apparatus 20 provide a very compact arrangement adjacent thedischarge openings 37 a, 37 b so that the fruit or vegetables may beeasily discharged therefrom.

Referring now additionally to FIGS. 8 and 9 other aspects relating tothe abrasive roller 32 a of the peeling apparatus 20 are furtherdescribed. The abrasive roller 32 a includes an elongate body portion 60a, preferably in the form of an elongate tube to thereby reduce overallweight. The tubular shape may be readily and accurately formed byprecision centerless grinding techniques as will be appreciated by thoseskilled in the art.

Mounting stubs 61 a, 62 a are preferably welded to opposing ends of thetubular elongate body portion 60 a as described above, and an abrasivesurface is formed on the outer surface portion of the elongate bodyportion. The abrasive outer surface may be manufactured by pressing theouter roller surface against a shaping or die surface to form a patternof knurls, similar to a #10TPI knurl. In other words, the knurls may beintegrally formed into the surface of the elongate body portion 60 a.

A cross-section of one such knurl 75 a is shown in FIG. 9. Theillustrated knurl 75 a may define a peak height of about 0.050 incheswith a tolerance of about +0.00 and −0.020 inches. The abrasive roller32 a may have a diameter of about 3.9 to 4.0 inches, although othersizes are also possible. Moreover, the knurl 75 a may have a leadingedge portion 76 a that is steeper than the adjacent trailing edgeportion 77 a. For example, the leading edge portion 76 a may define anangle α of about a thirty degrees from a line normal to the surface.Also, the trailing edge portion 77 a may define an angle β of aboutsixty degrees from a line normal to the surface. Other angles are alsopossible. The steeper angle of the leading edge portion 76 a may providean extended wear life, and reduce the need for maintenance. In someembodiments, all of the knurls may have a same shape, although otherembodiments may benefit from different shaped knurls.

To further provide increased wear resistance for the knurl 75 a awear-resistant surface coating 80 a may be applied to cover the basemetal of the elongate body portion 60 a. For example, the elongate bodyportion 60 a may comprise steel or aluminum, and the surface coating 80a may comprise cobalt, chromium, tungsten, nickel, or alloys thereof.For example, Stellite® may be used as the coating 80 a and it is analloy family containing cobalt, chromium, tungsten and other elements aswill be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art.

In other embodiments, the base metal of the abrasive roller 32 a may notrequire a coating. For example, stainless steel may not require aprotective coating. To reduce overall costs, in one preferredembodiment, a mild steel base metal may be combined with the protectivecoating 80 a as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

Turning now additionally to the schematic diagrams of FIGS. 10-11,various control aspects of the peeling apparatus 20 are now described.In particular, the peeling apparatus 20 includes a set of abrasiverollers 32 a arranged to define a peeling chamber 26 a, and roller drivemotors 40 a as explained in detail above. A feeder 85 a is provided forcontrollably feeding fruit or vegetables adjacent the abrasive rollers.A sensor 86 a is associated with at least one roller drive motor 40 afor sensing a load thereon. For example, the sensor 86 a may beassociated with one or more lower rollers to more accurately sense theload, although sensors may be provided for all of the motors as will beappreciated by those skilled in the art. The controller 28 isillustratively connected to the sensor 86 a and feeder 85 a forcontrolling the feeder based upon the sensor. Accordingly, the feeder 85a can be controlled based upon the sensed load on the abrasive roller 32a.

For example, for typical operation, the controller 28 may increase thefeed rate of the feeder 85 a based upon an increase in sensed load, andconversely decrease the feed rate based upon a decrease in sensed load.In some embodiments, the controller 28 may also control one more of theroller drive motors 40 a based upon the sensed load. This aspect of thepeeling apparatus 20 provides a relatively straightforward, robust andcost effective approach to control important peeling parameters.

As understood with particular reference to FIG. 11, the feeder 85 a maycomprise an input conveyor 90 a upstream of the set of abrasive rollers.In addition to or in place of the input conveyor 90 a, the feeder mayinclude the auger 33 a adjacent the set of abrasive rollers. Also, thefeeder 85 a may include at least one of an intake gate 91 a and adischarge gate 92 a, and with or without the input conveyor and/orauger. Those of skill in the art will recognize other feederconfigurations that are controllable in accordance with this aspect ofthe peeling apparatus 20.

The sensor 86 a may comprise a torque sensor for sensing a torquedelivered by the roller drive motor 40 a. In one class of embodiments,the roller drive motor 40 a may be a hydraulic motor 95 a, and thesensor 86 a may be a hydraulic pressure sensor 96 a. In one particularlyadvantageous class of embodiments, the roller drive motor 40 a maycomprise a roller drive electric motor 94 a. Accordingly, for this classof embodiments, the torque sensor may thus comprise an electrical powersensor 97 a.

The controller 28 itself may include a processor 100 a and variousinput/output devices 101 a connected thereto. For example, theinput/output devices 101 a may include an operator CRT display or otherindicators, as well as a keyboard or other input devices as will beappreciated by those skilled in the art. Of course, the controller 28may provide a range of from full automatic to full manual control aswill also be appreciated by those skilled in the art. In addition, otherfeatures relating to the apparatus and method for peeling vegetables andfruit are disclosed in copending patent applications filed concurrentlyherewith and assigned to the assignee of the present invention and areentitled PEELING APPARATUS WITH ENHANCED ABRASIVE ROLLERS AND ASSOCIATEDMETHODS, Ser. No. 09/842,263; and PEELING APPARATUS WITH ENHANCEDABRASIVE ROLLERS AND ASSOCIATED METHODS, Ser. No. 09/842,368, now U.S.Pat. No. 6,431,061, the entire disclosure of which are incorporatedherein in their entirety by reference.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come tothe mind of one skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachingspresented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings.Accordingly, it is understood that the invention is not to be limited tothe embodiments disclosed, and that other modifications and embodimentsare intended to be included within the spirit and scope of the appendedclaims.

That which is claimed is:
 1. A peeling apparatus comprising: a framehaving at least one first roller opening adjacent a first end thereof; aset of mounts being removably connected to the first end of said frameadjacent the at least one first roller opening, each mount comprising aflange bearing; a set of abrasive rollers being arranged to define apeeling chamber and having first ends rotatably carried by respectiveflange bearings of said mounts so that said abrasive rollers areinstallable or removable through the at least one first roller openingupon removal of the respective mounts from said frame; and a set ofroller drive motors for respective abrasive rollers and also carried byrespective mounts.
 2. A peeling apparatus according to claim 1 whereineach mount has a trapezoidal shape; and wherein said mounts are arrangedin side-by-side relation to define an arc.
 3. A peeling apparatusaccording to claim 1 further comprising a feeder for feeding objectsadjacent said set of abrasive rollers so that the first end of saidframe defines an intake end.
 4. A peeling apparatus according to claim 1wherein the peeling chamber extends generally horizontally; and whereinsaid set of abrasive rollers are aligned along an arc.
 5. A peelingapparatus according to claim 1 wherein a number of abrasive rollers insaid set thereof is greater than eight.
 6. A peeling apparatus accordingto claim 1 wherein each of said roller drive motors comprises anhydraulic motor.
 7. A peeling apparatus according to claim 1 whereineach of said roller drive motors comprises an electric motor.
 8. Apeeling apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a second setof flange bearings carried by a second end of said frame for respectivesecond ends of said set of abrasive rollers.
 9. A peeling apparatusaccording to claim 8 wherein each of said second set of flange bearingscomprises a two-fastener flange bearing having a generally ovalfootprint; and wherein each flange bearing of said second set of flangebearings is canted at an angle and nested into an adjacent flangebearing.
 10. A peeling apparatus according to claim 9 further comprisinga feeder for feeding objects adjacent said set of abrasive rollers sothat the second end of said frame defines a discharge end.
 11. A peelingapparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a cleaning solutiondelivery system for contacting surfaces of the peeling chamber with acleaning solution.
 12. A peeling apparatus according to claim 11 furthercomprising a cleaning solution collection system for collecting cleaningsolution after contacting surfaces of the peeling chamber.
 13. A peelingapparatus comprising: a frame having opposing first and second ends; aset of abrasive rollers being arranged to define a peeling chamber; afirst set of flange bearings carried by the first end of said frame forrotatably supporting respective first ends of said set of abrasiverollers; and a second set of flange bearings carried by the second endof said frame for rotatably supporting respective second ends of saidset of abrasive rollers.
 14. A peeling apparatus according to claim 13further comprising a feeder for feeding objects adjacent said set ofabrasive rollers so that the first end of said frame is an intake endand the second end of said frame is a discharge end.
 15. A peelingapparatus according to claim 13 wherein each of said second set offlange bearings comprises a two-fastener flange bearing having agenerally oval footprint; and wherein each flange bearing of said secondset of flange bearings is canted at an angle and nested into an adjacentflange bearing.
 16. A peeling apparatus according to claim 13 furthercomprising a set of base plates carrying respective flange bearings anddefining mounts; and further comprising a set of roller drive motors forrespective first ends of said set of abrasive rollers and carried byrespective mounts.
 17. A peeling apparatus according to claim 16 whereineach mount has a trapezoidal shape; and wherein said mounts are arrangedin side-by-side relation to define an arc.
 18. A peeling apparatusaccording to claim 13 wherein the peeling chamber extends generallyhorizontally; and wherein said set of abrasive rollers are aligned alongan arc.
 19. A peeling apparatus according to claim 13 wherein a numberof abrasive rollers in said set thereof is greater than eight.
 20. Apeeling apparatus according to claim 13 further comprising a cleaningsolution delivery system for contacting surfaces of the peeling chamberwith a cleaning solution.
 21. A peeling apparatus according to claim 20further comprising a cleaning solution collection system for collectingcleaning solution after contacting surfaces of the peeling chamber. 22.A method for making a peeling apparatus comprising: providing a framehaving at least one first roller opening in a first end; removablyconnecting a set of mounts to the first end of the frame adjacent the atleast one first roller opening, each mount comprising a flange bearing;arranging a set of abrasive rollers to define a peeling chamber andhaving first ends rotatably supported by flange bearings of respectivemounts so that the abrasive rollers are installable or removable throughthe at least one first roller opening upon removal of the respectivemounts from the frame; and connecting a set of roller drive motors torespective first ends of the set of abrasive rollers and also beingcarried by respective mounts.
 23. A method according to claim 22 whereineach mount has a trapezoidal shape; and wherein the mounts are arrangedin side-by-side relation to define an arc.
 24. A method for making apeeling apparatus comprising: providing a frame having opposing firstand second ends; arranging a set of abrasive rollers to define a peelingchamber by rotatably supporting first ends of the set of abrasiverollers using a first set of flange bearings carried by the first end ofthe frame, and rotatably supporting second ends of the set of abrasiverollers using a second set of flange bearings carried by the second endof the frame.
 25. A method according to claim 24 wherein each of thesecond set of flange bearings comprises a two-fastener flange bearinghaving a generally oval footprint; and further comprising positioningeach flange bearing of the second set of flange bearings to be canted atan angle and nested into an adjacent flange bearing.
 26. A methodaccording to claim 24 further comprising providing a set of base platescarrying respective first flange bearings and defining mounts; andproviding a set of roller drive motors for respective first ends of theset of abrasive rollers and carried by respective mounts.
 27. A methodaccording to claim 26 wherein each mount has a trapezoidal shape; andfurther comprising arranging the mounts in side-by-side relation todefine an arc.